The Other Guys actor, who wrestled for the WWE between 1996 and 2004, told Entertainment Weekly that the experience of growing up as the son of grappler Rocky Johnson taught him to relish performing before live crowds.

"I've always had a love for live performance," Johnson said. "And growing up in the wrestling business, I have a love for entertaining the fans in that way."

He added: "It's a very visceral, intense, emotional, entertaining outlet for me. To be able to perform in front of 75,000 people… It's always inspired me."

Johnson went on to promise fans that he will shock and surprise them during his turn as WrestleMania's special guest host.

"What you can expect is getting me at my best - microphone in hand, entertaining the audience, taking the 75,000 people on a great ride for four hours, interacting backstage and in the crowd," he said.

"On top of all that is the fact that I can take my boot and stick it straight up someone's ass. And when I'm done with that, I will slap the lips clean off their face."

WrestleMania XXVII will air live on pay-per-view on April 3 from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.